A/N: Seen as I'm already in the process of writing chapter 7 I thought I might as well post chapter 5 tonight! Chapter 6 will come on Sunday, and posting will go back to every Sunday unless I suddenly write my way through the chapters quicker than anticipated!

Thanks again for the reviews guys! But please, vote for the ships via the polls- if you do it in reviews I can't tell if you've voted as well, so I can't take the review ships into account as it makes it unfair! Obviously if you're a guest I'll understand that you can't vote on polls, but please don't take advantage of this.

Hobo Ghost- I really appreciate your reviews each chapter, it makes me happy to see you're sticking with it! I feel sad about the predicament Camilla's in too.

Kat- Thanks for the review, as for your question, you'll just have to wait and see I'm afraid, I can't go spoiling the fic can I haha?

This week the poll is for Hinoka's ships, so get voting away! Link is here - topic/192867/152147960/1/Hinoka-Ships

The sky was a bright blue, not a cloud in sight as small white figures moved through the sky. From a distance it was hard to work out what they were, simply little dots weaving up and down, left and right. Members of the castle however knew instantly that the sky knights were in the middle of their daily training routine, ran by the eldest princess Hinoka. In the sky she thrived, weaving through the other knights with ease. Her skill was hard won with daily rigorous training regimes and even longer grooming times of her Pegasus. While sky knights often cared for their own Pegasus, none had done so with such vigour and determination as Hinoka.

In the blink of an eye the red haired princess flew towards the ground, quickly landing her Pegasus. Smiling slightly, she carefully pushed herself off her mount, stepping forwards slightly to stroke her mane. "You did wonderfully today Shiida, let's get you some hay and water before I find brother."

The horse whinnied, turning her head to look at her master. Though they had a difficult relationship at first, after much persistence from Hinoka the pair became a dangerous foe, extremely agile, with superb precision. It was these skills that earnt Hinoka the position of leader of the sky knights, a position she was extremely proud of. "I know, don't you worry Shiida, I'll whip that idiot into shape in no time!" The young woman responded, as though she knew exactly what her steed was thinking.

Guiding the creature to the stables, the fiery princess took great care in gathering exactly what he precious partner would need, from hay and water to a brush to run through her silky mane. "We'll have to find a separate stable for Camilla's dragon of course, I doubt you'd play nicely with it would you?"

Almost immediately the Pegasus shook her head quickly, making a neighing sound. Laughing loudly, Hinoka quickly set to work caring for Shiida, brushing her mane, checking her hooves and ensuring she was in tip top condition. Eventually, the young woman sighed, looking at her steed. "I better get going before Brother goes into hiding, you know what he's been like recently." Kissing Shiida on the forehead, Hinoka gave the Pegasus one final stroke before she made her way out of the stables.

Brushing off her uniform, a grim expression began to spread across her face, she had been hoping to avoid doing this, but it seemed that her brother would never take the initiative if she did not give him a not so gentle prod in the right direction. Sure, she and Camilla had not seen eye to eye in the war- for the longest time they both believed that Corrin could only have one big sister, but over time Hinoka grew to realise that the Nohrian princess was not as put together as she liked the world to think. She could not help but feel sorry for the woman; having been thrust into a completely different culture without a friend to help her out. It infuriated Hinoka to see how cold Ryoma had been acting towards his future bride, but she knew it was not his intention.

As she walked up the stairs to the castle she smiled, Sakura had been making sure to spend time with Camilla each day, and it warmed her heart to see her younger sister putting in such an effort to make the dragon rider feel welcome. She wished she could do the same, but at the moment it seemed that it was wisest for her to focus on convincing her brother to be more courteous towards the young woman.

There was no way that the merger could fail; if the marriage ended badly it would spell disaster for the treaty between Nohr and Hoshido, it could escalate to another war. While she knew that was the last thing her brother would want to happen, she knew that he was not thinking straight, the consequences of his failure to act and ensure the success of his future marriage were out of his mind as he continued to mourn for the woman he loved.

It was up to her now, she could not ask Takumi to help push their elder brother into taking the appropriate actions, he had far too much going on as he fought hard alongside Corrin to bring the country to a more prosperous place. She knew it was not easy for her brothers, all three were working diligently to bring the kingdom into a stronger place than ever before, but it was times like this that she wished there was more she could do.

Walking down the corridor towards Ryoma's study, she hoped that the two men were faring well, having travelled to the Wind Tribe village to broker a treaty to allow the small tribe to have a more secure bond with Hoshido. Laughing slightly to herself, she just hoped that the two boys would avoid another political marriage; one was far too much hassle without adding another.

Arriving outside her brother's study, Hinoka paused for a moment, taking a deep breath as she prepared herself for the difficult decision that was to come. Steeling herself, she quickly pushed open the door and briskly walked in, much to her brother's surprise. "Brother we need to talk." She remarked abruptly, looking intently at the brunette man.

"Sister, this is a surprise, how can I assist you?" Without even looking up at her Ryoma spoke in a lacklustre manner, continuing to read through a long letter in front of him.

"How can you assist me?" Hinoka shook her head as she quickly took a seat opposite him, a small frown on her face. "This isn't about me Ryoma, it's about you." Pausing, she crossed her legs. "Have you even tried getting to know Lady Camilla? She's been here nearly a week now brother, and I've yet to see any indication you are treating her like your fiancée and bride to be."

"There are more pressing matters at hand than indulging in taking time away from work to talk to the princess Hinoka, we may be out of war but it does not mean that we are not still dealing with the aftermath." Pulling a piece of paper towards himself, Ryoma began to pen a reply to his letter.

"More pressing matters than securing the peace between Hoshido and Nohr? Ryoma you need to tread carefully with this matter, if you are to treat Camilla poorly, or are to neglect the preparations then King Xander may feel that you are being disrespectful and withdraw any chance of peace between the two kingdoms. I know you are struggling with your personal feelings right now, but you cannot neglect this." Sighing, Hinoka leant forward as she looked at her brother. "If you cannot do this we can contact the king and I will take your place and marry for the kingdom."

"Absolutely not! I will not allow you to do such a foolish thing. I have given my word that I will wed Lady Camilla, I do not intend to go back on my word." Sighing, Ryoma looked up, putting his pen down as he looked at his sister. "What do you expect me to do Hinoka, I am doing the best that I can."

"I know brother, and I understand, truly I do, but you must know how vital it is that this marriage goes well." Sighing, she ran her fingers through her short hair as she closed her eyes, trying to work out how to word her thoughts. "When are you going to give Camilla Mother's ring Brother? It would be unseemly for her to go without an engagement ring much longer, and I know you have it."

"I have no intention to give Lady Camilla mother's engagement ring Sister." A frown on his face, Ryoma folded his arms as he watched his sister's expression grow more infuriated with each second.

"You what?! Brother how could you be so unfeeling? I know this is not the ideal situation, but she is to be your bride, it is only right that you give her mother's ring, she would have wanted you to give it her." Quickly jumping to her feet, Hinoka looked enraged. "I know you still mourn for Scarlet but this is ridiculous; you are being cruel and heartless towards Lady Camilla and I will not watch you continue to do so, you will give her that ring!"

Standing up himself, Ryoma walked over to the window, looking out of it with a solemn expression. "I do not have it Hinoka, what would you have me do, steal from the dead? Yes, Camilla will be my queen but I will not stoop to such levels to keep the pair of you happy, another ring will have to suffice."

"Steal from the dead? Don't lie to me Ryoma, I know father gave you mother's engagement ring after she passed, it was not buried with her! Why do you insist on acting like this, it isn't you." Looking away, Hinoka held back her tears as she thought about her mother. The young woman was usually so calm and put together, but it was in moments like this that she missed her mother more than words could express. She knew that she would have dealt with the situation far better than Hinoka ever could, as would have Lady Mikoto.

"I am not referring to mother Hinoka, the ring is buried with another." Closing his eyes, Ryoma thought back to a happier time. "In the middle of the war I took Scarlet to the highest point of Hoshido..."

*_*_*_*Flashback*_*_*_*

The sun had just begun to set, the sky a dusky orange as two individuals stood atop a hill, looking out at the world. The sound of battle had faded away with the darkening of the sky, making way for the gentle chirping of crickets, the cooing of birds as they settled down to their nest and the rustling of the leaves as wildlife began to move about. A young man and woman stood at the highest point of Hoshido, overlooking the kingdom as they stood in silence, hand in hand.

"One day this is going to be your kingdom, I just know you'll lead it into a brilliant place full of prosperity and peace." The young woman smiled as she looked over to her lover, leaning up to kiss him gently. "I can't wait to see it my king."

"You have too much faith in me." With a small smile, the swordsman brought his arms around her, pulling the freckled woman closer towards him. "I...I do not know what I would do without you Scarlet, you give me hope, you keep me strong and even in our darkest days you are my ray of light."

"Oh now you're just trying to make me blush aren't you?" Laughing lightly, Scarlet's nose crinkled as she looked at the muscular young man. "Getting all sentimental on me are you, first you bring me way out here, now you're telling me you can't live without me, anyone would think you're proposing!"

"I...Ahem... well... this is certainly not faring how I expected it to." Lowering himself down onto one knee, the usually calm and collected prince fumbled about, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small black box. "I intended this to be far more put together than this, but you are everything I want in this life, I do not want to go even a moment without you. When this war is over I want to rule this kingdom with you by my side, Scarlet. Will you be my queen, my confidant, my most treasured person in this world... will you do me the honour of being my wife?"

Her brown eyes widened as she took in the sight in front of her, surprisingly silent for a moment as she looked down at her lover. Taking a deep breath in, she smiled slightly. "Well that was a rather slapdash proposal wasn't it?" Laughing, she nodded, dropping to her knees in front of him. "Of course I'll marry you Ryoma, now dish up the shiny!"

Laughing slightly, the prince quickly opened the lid of the ring box, revealing a beautiful ring fit for a queen. "I hope this is sufficient, if it is not I can get you another."

"Sufficient? It's the prettiest thing I've ever seen! Where on Earth did you get it, especially at such a time like this." Quickly pulling the ring out the box, Scarlet tugged off her armour, slipping the ring onto her now naked finger, holding it out in front of herself.

"It was my mother's, after she passed Father handed it on to me, he told me to give it to the woman I loved more than anything else in this world, to my future queen, wife and mother of my children." Blushing slightly, Ryoma carefully removed his headpiece, placing it on the ground next to him. "I hope that you will be all of those things one day, I know both Mother and Father would have loved you dearly, and you will be a queen that will make the whole of Hoshido proud."

Smiling widely, Scarlet wrapped her arms around the man's neck, kissing him passionately. "I love you Ryoma, I love you so much!"

"And I love you, I promise as soon as this war is over we will have the grandest wedding you want, the whole world will know my love for you." Kissing her back, Ryoma smiled warmly. "I wish it could be so now, but if people were to know it would only make you more of a target, my priority is keeping you safe, nothing will harm you my fiancée."

*_*_*_*Flashback End*_*_*_*

"I could not bring myself to take the ring when she died, it will always belong to her, the woman who should have been queen of these lands." Sighing, Ryoma looked back to his sister, surprised to see a tear fall from her brown eyes as she looked at him with a worried expression. Though Hinoka cried often as a child, ever since Corrin was taken away the young woman had hardened, concealing her emotions and acting as a pillar of strength for her siblings and fellow sky knights. To see her cry touched him, and he knew that at last, she understood the truth depth of his love for Scarlet.

"I-I'm so sorry brother, I didn't know!" Walking over to him, Hinoka threw her arms around her older brother, pulling him into a tight hug despite his copious armour. "Why did you never say, we could have been here for you more, she was to be my sister-in-law, you know I would have given you my blessing, Scarlet was a brave woman, far braver than I."

Sighing slightly, the young king pulled his sister closer to him, placing one hand on the back of her head. "I did not wish to trouble any of you, there is enough going on, I cannot allow myself to get caught up in my emotions at such a delicate time. Now speak Sister, I sense you have more to say about my engagement with Princess Camilla."

Letting go of her brother, she sniffed slightly as she wiped her tears away. "You still need to get her a ring, I understand you cannot give her Mother's, and I know Corrin was given Lady Mikoto's ring for when he wishes to wed, so I think you should contact a ring maker and get one specially made. I am sure if you send Lady Elise a letter she will be able to best guide you on what the princess likes, and it will show great thought to King Xander, that you are creating a one of a kind piece with thought to her wishes."

Nodding slightly, Ryoma walked back to his seat, quickly pulling a fresh piece of paper towards himself. "I shall write it straight away if it shall please you Sister. Is there anything else?"

"A party." Sitting back down, the sky knight looked determined. "I know you feel it will hardly be suitable given your losses, but a party would both raise the spirits of the kingdom and announce your impending marriage to the kingdom. Of course the royals of Nohr should be invited, as well as important delegates within both kingdoms. It would give a show of unity between our kingdoms too, and would be a morale booster for the public."

Silent for a moment, Ryoma scratched the back of his head as he looked at his sister. "I understand your reasoning's Sister, but I simply do not have the time to arrange such a large feat. Unless you are volunteering to arrange it I simply do not believe we will be able to have one, I am stretched to my limit as it is."

His sister looked at him silently for a moment, thinking about what he had said for a moment. "I will... on one condition."

"Name it and I will see what I can do Sister, I will do my utmost to please you." Picking his pen up once more, he looked up at his sister as he waited to hear what she would say.

"Talk to Camilla. This is incredibly difficult for her too, and I know you will not be marrying for love, but the both of you deserve a marriage that is amenable, get to know her Ryoma, make friends with her, I am not asking you to love her, but for the sake of the pair of you, you need to find a way to have a successful and caring marriage." A frown on her face, Hinoka waited with baited breath, wondering how her brother might react.

Looking at his sister, questions raced through his mind. Had he really done so bad a job of welcoming Camilla that his sister had to resort to begging him to treat her well? He supposed he could have been nicer to her, and after all, he had still not apologised for his outburst several days ago. He knew she could not have possibly known what memories she had brought up, but the prospect of discussing it with her chilled him to the bone, he did not feel ready to talk of such personal matters with a woman he barely knew. Looking at his sister's face however, he knew she was right, and that he could not possibly deny her. "I will try my hardest Sister, though it may take time."

A bright smile on her face, she leant over the table, kissing him on the cheek. The young king found himself taken aback by his sister's out of character action. "I'll get started on the party right away, and don't worry brother, all good things take time!"